Wales promise not to hold back against Canadians

It is a measure of the progress Wales have made in the past four years that, even though the team to face Canada at the Millennium Stadium tonight is, with the exception of the injured captain, Stephen Jones, the one to face New Zealand next week, there will be no holding back for fear of picking up an injury.

Wales have fielded virtually two sides this month in their opening two internationals, drawing with Australia and comfortably defeating the Pacific Islanders, and their head coach, Gareth Jenkins, finds himself with a selection dilemma in virtually every position.

"We cannot afford to think about New Zealand," said the scrum-half, Dwayne Peel. "We have not spoken about the All Blacks at all this week because the focus of everyone who is playing on Friday has to be Canada with competition for places so intense."

The full-back, Gareth Thomas, who will lead the side tonight on his 90th appearance for his country, said rivalry had made the squad close-knit. "There is no green-eyed monster in our camp: the boys who are on the bench or in the stand for Canada will be supporting the players on the pitch. The coaches do not have to tell us what is at stake: anyone who does not perform this week will not be playing against the All Blacks, and we all respect the Canadians." The two countries will meet in the World Cup in Nantes on September 9.